Queensland LNP leader Deb Frecklington blames Bill Shorten for Adani delays
Queensland opposition leader Deb Frecklington says the state’s Premier and her deputy are doing Bill Shorten’s “dirty work’’ on the proposed coalmine.
Queensland Liberal National opposition leader Deb Frecklington has blamed Bill Shorten for the state government delaying Adani’s proposed Carmichael coalmine, warning Labor would “shut down” the project should it win the federal election.
The coal project in central Queensland has stalled after an extraordinary government-commissioned review of the Indian company’s plan to manage the endangered black-throated finch recommended sweeping new rules for the mine.
Speaking on Sky News today, Ms Frecklington accused Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Jackie Trad of doing the federal Opposition Leader’s “dirty work” by opposing the mine.
“I believe that both Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jackie Trad are doing the dirty work for Bill Shorten at the moment,” she told Sky News.
“They’re trying to do everything they can to shut down this project because they know that if they don’t, Bill will.”
Ms Frecklington said Australians should view the Palaszczuk government as an example of what a Shorten federal government would be like.
“We will have nothing worse for our resources industry in Queensland than having Bill Shorten as prime minister,” Ms Frecklington said.
Comment was sought from Mr Shorten, Ms Palaszczuk and Ms Trad.
Ms Frecklington repeated her criticism of Ms Trad as being “out of touch” for suggesting coalminers in her state “re-skill” amid a global backlash against coal-fired power.
The International Energy Agency has forecast that global coal demand over the next five years will be stable, with declines in the US and Europe being offset by growth in India and other Asian nations.
But Ms Trad, the Treasurer and leader of Labor’s dominant Left faction, yesterday told state parliament: “Markets are moving away from thermal coal, communities are moving away from thermal coal, nation states are moving away from thermal coal.
“What we need to do as a coal exporter is understand that and equip our communities with the best possible chance of re-skilling.”
Ms Frecklington told Sky News: “I will continue to support jobs in the resources industry in Queensland. My number one goal is to make sure that Queensland gets back to being the economic powerhouse it was again.”
Ms Palaszczuk today said the government would “back our resources jobs” but workers would need new training as technology advances.
“My government is very clear – we have a very big resources sector in this state that supports some 60,000 jobs,” she said.
